What Actions Will ECI Take Against BLOs Not Conducting Door-to-Door Visits in Bengal?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ECI issues strong warning to BLOs in West Bengal.
- BLOs must conduct mandatory door-to-door visits.
- 3.04 crore enumeration forms distributed in four days.
- Voters must provide details to remain on electoral rolls.
- Local political interference raises concerns.
Kolkata, Nov 8 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern warning that booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal who neglect door-to-door visits while distributing enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will face stringent disciplinary measures.
The commission has instructed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal and the District Electoral Officers (DEOs) to take decisive actions against BLOs who disregard the directives on conducting door-to-door outreach, as per sources within the CEO's office.
Additionally, the sources mentioned that the commission has mandated the DEOs to conduct thorough investigations into instances where BLOs have been distributing enumeration forms in select locations, thereby bypassing door-to-door visits.
Moreover, the ECI has emphasized that if any BLO delegates the responsibility of distributing enumeration forms to a third party, whether a family member, friend, or acquaintance, this should be classified as a serious violation of conduct.
The CEO's office has received multiple complaints alleging that local Trinamool Congress leaders are unlawfully collecting enumeration forms from BLOs and distributing them to the public.
As of now, the CEO's office has reported that a total of 3.04 crore enumeration forms have been distributed among the voters of West Bengal in just the first four days of the SIR.
The ECI initiated the SIR in the state on Tuesday, achieving a distribution of 3.04 crore enumeration forms by 8 p.m. on Friday.
According to sources in the CEO's office, the progress of SIR regarding enumeration form distribution in West Bengal is quite satisfactory when compared to 11 other states where similar electoral exercises are taking place.
As per the electoral roll dated October 27, the total number of electors in West Bengal stands at 7,66,37,529.
Voters whose names or their parents' names were included in the electoral rolls during 2002, the last time SIR was conducted in West Bengal, will be required to provide details in the enumeration forms without the need for any additional supporting documents to maintain their names in the electoral roll. The previous SIR in West Bengal was executed in 2002.
Voters whose names or their parents' names do not appear on the 2002 list must submit any one of the 11 specified documents required by the Commission to retain their names on the voter list.